The lawyer for the fired gym teacher has filed an anti-discrimination complaint with the city’s Community Relations Commission and might also file a lawsuit.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Bishop Frederick Campbell and other school officials in the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, could face criminal charges under the city of Columbus’ anti-discrimination laws for upholding the Church’s moral teachings on sexuality by firing a lesbian gym teacher.

The diocese has come under fire for terminating the contract of Carla Hale, 57, a physical education teacher employed for 19 years at Bishop Watterson High School, after learning of Hale’s “spousal relationship” with another woman. The diocese fired Hale after an unnamed Bishop Watterson parent forwarded to diocesan officials a local obituary for Hale’s mother Jeanne Roe, which listed Hale’s lesbian companion, Julie, as one of her survivors.

At a news conference Wednesday morning, Hale’s attorney, Thomas Tootle, told reporters that he would be filing a complaint with Columbus’ Community Relations Commission, arguing the diocese violated the city’s anti-discrimination law by firing Hale over her sexual orientation.

Tootle told the Register that he wants Hale reinstated at her job and might also file a lawsuit.

“There are many things that the Catholic Church considers immoral, but why is this treated any differently than adultery, divorce or birth control?” Tootle said. Although he declined to provide evidence of the diocese applying a double standard, he said, “It does seem to be a situation where the Church picks and chooses like they are at the buffet.”

Columbus’ anti-discrimination ordinance criminalizes discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation, gender identity or expression” and has no exemptions for religious employers. Violators face prosecution for a first-degree misdemeanor, a criminal charge that carries up to six months jail time and a $1,000 fine.

“The Catholic diocese is facing a situation where simply living according to its long-held, very open and very public religious beliefs could somehow be a crime in the city of Columbus. That’s very disconcerting,” Daniel Blomberg, legal counsel with the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, told the Register. The Becket Fund is a Washington-based law firm that specializes in cases involving religious liberty, but it is not representing the Columbus Diocese at this time.

Blomberg said the Columbus anti-discrimination ordinance goes far beyond standard federal and state non-discrimination laws by imposing criminal penalties on employers, especially religious employers who “might require a statement of belief regarding marriage and family that some might find offensive.”

Blomberg said the law was “unclear” as to whether Bishop Campbell and other diocesan personnel would be liable for jail time or fines.

“It seems likely it would fall on the responsible decision-makers,” he said. “But who those would be, in this context, I am not aware.”

First Amendment Issues

Blomberg believes that the law looks like a clear case of violating First Amendment protections of religious liberty. Taken at face value, he said, the city’s ordinance forbids any employer from making any policy regarding sexual orientation or gender identity.

“That means you can’t choose your priest based on their adherence to Roman Catholic teaching about sexual ethics,” Blomberg added.

He said one case that would be considered, if the ordinance’s constitutionality were challenged, is the U.S. Supreme Court’s 9-0 decision in Hosanna-Tabor v. EEOC. The court recognized the “interest of religious groups in choosing who will preach their beliefs, teach their faith and carry out their mission,” when it ruled government entities could not use employment anti-discrimination laws to force religious groups to retain employees with a ministerial function.

The case could be relevant, as Hale and all teachers employed by the diocese were required to have “Introductory Catechist Certification” by fall 2012, as specified by their contracts with the diocese. Ultimately, a court would have to take a closer look to see if the Hosanna-Tabor decision applies in this case, Blomberg said.

“It does look like the Catholic Church can’t be the Catholic Church in Columbus without violating this ordinance,” Blomberg said. “I’m not saying that’s necessarily the case, but the language is so broad it does seem hard to see how those employment contracts can be enforced in certain circumstances.”

Diocesan Policies

Carla Hale has revealed that the diocese terminated her on March 28, two weeks after conducting an inquiry, in which Hale confirmed she was living in a same-sex relationship. The termination letter released by Principal Marian Hutson told Hale, “You were not terminated for being gay, but for the spousal relationship publicized in the newspaper, which is against Church teachings."

“That had nothing to do with my ability to teach and coach. I don’t think I’m immoral; I don’t think I’ve done anything that’s unethical,” Hale said in an interview with local television.

An agreement between the diocese and its teachers' union, the Central Ohio Association of Catholic Educators (COACE), states that the diocese has the right to terminate an employee’s contract “at any time” for engaging in “immorality, for serious unethical conduct or for willful and/or persistent violations of reasonable regulations” set by the school or diocese.

Diocesan policy also states that employees “are expected to be examples of moral behavior and professionalism” in keeping with “the tenets of the Catholic Church.”

Kathleen Mahony, president of COACE, confirmed to the Register that the diocese stipulates its right in the teachers’ contract to terminate an employee for immorality. However, Mahony declined to comment when asked if other teachers had been fired for violating other Church teachings, such as pre-marital or extra-marital sexual relations.

But Mahony did affirm it was “correct” that any teacher signing the contract would have an understanding of the diocese’s expectations of their personal conduct.

Hale told reporters Wednesday that Principal Hutson met with her Tuesday evening and reaffirmed the school’s decision to terminate her contract. Hale will now appeal the decision to the COACE grievance committee.

“The Catholic Church has their own perceptions on immorality, but when you look at the contract, who decides that term, ‘immorality’? That, ultimately, will be decided by an arbitrator,” Tootle said.

Catholic Teaching

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that sexuality is “ordered to the conjugal love of man and woman” and must be open to “the transmission of life” (2360) in marriage. According to the Catechism, homosexual persons must be “accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity,” but it explains at the same time that homosexual acts “are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved” (2357).

The diocese so far has refrained from commenting on Hale’s dismissal. George Jones, a spokesman for the diocese, told the Register that the diocese was in the midst of the grievance process and would not be offering comment at this time.

But Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, an organization that promotes Catholic identity in schools and higher education, said the diocese was “paying the price for being Catholic.”

“Catholic education, by its very nature, must uphold Catholic teaching, or else it’s not Catholic education,” Reilly said.

“Catholic schools are increasingly under pressure to respond to a cultural understanding of sexuality that doesn’t conform to Catholic teaching,” Reilly said. “If anything, too many Catholic schools have loosened their standards for Catholic teachers.”

Recently, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has come under fire for enforcing the “faith and morals” clause of its own contracts over employees who have been discovered violating the Church’s moral teachings. Within the past two years, under Archbishop Dennis Schnurr’s leadership, the archdiocese has fired two teachers, one for artificial insemination, the other for extra-marital sex, and a vice principal who publicized on a blog his support for same-sex “marriage.”

An online petition to reinstate Hale at Bishop Watterson High School has attracted more than 44,000 signatures. Further, the public outcry has generated threats against diocesan and school personnel.

The diocese confirmed reports in the Columbus Dispatch that the high school had received threatening communications and that Columbus police had recommended police protection as a safety precaution.

“The Columbus police are aware of these reports and are closely monitoring the school,” Jones told the Register. He revealed that the diocese was also monitoring communications to diocesan employees for any threats to their safety.

Hale has condemned the threats against the diocese and Catholic high school in a statement, calling for supporters to “embrace tolerance and not violence.”

Standing Firm

Reilly said that Catholic schools are facing increasing pressure to cave to the culture’s understanding of sexuality, but he praised Bishop Campbell for standing up for the Church’s teaching.

“The bishop is doing what Catholic bishops need to do. Unfortunately, they’re facing an intolerant society that will not allow Catholic institutions to be Catholic,” he said. “This is one of many problems that are going to come up over the next few years.”

Comments

@Rob: [“we cannot reject scripture and the Holy Spirit and change our faith in the name of eccumenicalism.”].
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Did someone ask you to do that?
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Congratulations to you, your parish and your diocese. It’s also not accurate to say of me the Church is working “against” other Christian faiths. Moreover, it would be more correct to say they are largely indifferent toward this objective. As you know, what Rome initiates is not always embraced as it works down to the local level. The USCCB casts such a large shadow over things that local Pastors typically cower for fear of reprisal. I’ll give you an example. Two members of our parish last month approached the Parish office to include a notice in the Sunday bulletin about joining with two neighboring Christian churches concerning the National Day of Prayer for our nation. The event would take place in front of City Hall at the flag pole. They were only requesting an insert in the Sunday bulletin as an announcement. This had nothing to do with validating a doctrinal position.
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The Pastor told them no, since this was not a “Catholic” sponsored event. Thus, if something does not originate in the Catholic church, the idea must not be worthy of Catholic participation. Since when is “Prayer” exclusively owned by Protestants or Catholics?.
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Rob, I’m sure if you try, surely you can find some things (even articles of faith) in which you can find agreement with your “separated bretheren.”

Posted by Rob on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 9:48 PM (EDT):

@Casting Crows
You have a reading comprehension problem. You said “I just cannot go the way of our friend “Rob” who thinks even any contact at all with Protestants is submitting to demonic forces.”
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I never said anything close to that. In fact I said that we in our parish regularly work with other churches. I said Catholic ecumenicalism has been a major push since the 1920s. I also said, however that we cannot reject scripture and the Holy Spirit and change our faith in the name of eccumenicalism.
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Almost every word that comes out of your mouth is condemning Catholicism, your parish or Catholics you do not know. You imply the church is against working with other faiths when it is a fact that they do work with other faiths regularly. I personally attended a service that the pope held in South Carolina in 1987.
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Here is his opening statement:
“I greet each one of you in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is indeed the “Lord of both the dead and the living” (Rom 14:9) who has brought us together in this holy assembly of Christian people, a joy-filled gathering of different ecclesial communions: Orthodox, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, members of the United Church of Christ and of other Reformed churches, Disciples of Christ, members of the peace churches, Pentecostals, members of the Polish National Catholic Church and Catholics.”
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So please stop casting accusation at people.

Posted by Casting Crowns on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 5:48 PM (EDT):

@DW: Thank you. And your comments are most helpful as well.
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@St Donatus: [“I found that Evangelical churches seem to follow whatever the pastor happens to believe at the time.”] Unfortunately, that can be very true. As you know the responsibility for monitoring and holding the Pastor to biblical accuracy is the work of the Board of Elders. If they fail in their responsiblity as Elders the people can be led astray. A potential problem with Elders is that since they select who will Pastor the church they also may be hesitant to replace him as well. It may call their own judgment into question among the congregation.
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Thanks for sharing your experience, St Donatus. I appreciate hearing your perspective.

Posted by St Donatus on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 4:04 PM (EDT):

@Casting Crowns,
Now I think we have some agreement. In fact, I have returned to the Catholic Church from protestantism. In fact, I was Southern Baptist for a time but wandered through several evangelical churches looking for truth. I ended up back with the Catholic Church after thirty years because I found that Evangelical churches seem to follow whatever the pastor happens to believe at the time.

I brought my sister out of the Catholic Church and she is still Evangelical. She would probably come back if she saw a strong message from the Catholic Church against sin much as most Evangelical churches preach. Like myself, she was basically lead astray by priests and teachers teaching their liberal version of Catholicism where fornication, divorce, contraception, homosexuality, and other sinful acts were okay. They taught us that what we had been brought to believe was just a bunch of superstition control techniques.

But my family has experienced the terrible effects of these types of behavior and thus have an emotional repulsion to them. We all wish to see the Catholic Church take a stronger stand against them so Americans understand the seriousness of these behaviors, both the negative effects on the children that must grow up around them as well as the hatred for them by God. Of course, we all know that we should hate the sin and not the sinner but at the same time St Paul teaches us that we must not closely associate with those who would lead us astray.

Posted by DW on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 3:56 PM (EDT):

@Casting Crowns, nice response. As I think you know, catholic teaching subscribes to the fact that “protestant” churches contain much in truth ... just not the “full” truth that is found within the catholic church’s doctrines. Albeit, many of us don’t always live it! But then, we all fall short, don’t we—yet the goal remains to try always (and not just to reduce Christian teachings to appease society).

Posted by Casting Crowns on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 2:24 PM (EDT):

@St Donatus: Thanks for your comments. I understand your position better now. I hope you understand my own preference to seek areas in which Catholics and Christians have a *baseline* of agreement even though doctrinal issues will always remain.
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Your point is taken regarding denominations. Too often Catholics have simply adopted Protestantism as denominational. This was true years ago when I was child in Catholic grammar school and historically this would be quite accurate for centuries. Trending in more recent decades, however, shows largely that denominational membership in traditional Protestant churches is in decline. Baptists, though, appear to be holding their own.
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Studies are showing now that Evangelical churches are gaining membership among our Christian brothers and sisters. Evangelicals fit under the umbrella of Protestantism in nature (not Catholic), however they have no denominational alliance and are fully independent. You asked me to name one non-Catholic denomination which condemns as sinfull all the aforementioned sins you refer to. Very likely Southern Baptists condemn these behaviors as all sinful, but we certainly have evidence that liberal churches within Protestant denominations have taken their own course and disavowed what the Bible clearly condemns. In that,—you and I would fully agree.
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On the other hand, since Christian Evangelical churches are fully independent, most all surely condemn the sins you mention and agree with Catholic teaching. They also hold to the same basic core tenets of faith Catholics believe. These include Jesus is the Son of God (fully God and fully man), Jesus was virgin born of Mary, He preached the gospel, healed the sick, raised the dead, forgave sinners, suffered, died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the grave, that He paid for our sins, that salvation is only through Him, He is present within us by the Holy Spirit, that He is coming again and His kingdom will be without end. These are only to name a few areas where Evangelicals and Catholics agree. Typically, a web search of any local Evangelical church will provide a Statement of Faith decribing what they believe including a belief that the Bible is the inspired word of God.
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Thanks St Donatus. It may be that my experience is simply different dealing with Christians who are not Catholic. I just cannot go the way of our friend “Rob” who thinks even any contact at all with Protestants is submitting to demonic forces. I wonder what Rob thinks that even John Paul II met with the Archbishop of Canterbury in his cathedral in England in 1982 in the spirit of Ecumenism. And no, there were no trap doors for John Paul to fall in. What seems troubling is that the USCCB has failed to follow John Paul II’s example.

Posted by St Donatus on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 1:07 PM (EDT):

@Casting Crowns,
For one, I use the name St Donatus because it is a town my family settled in when coming to the US, I am certainly not worthy of the name Saint. Secondly, I am referencing the teachings of the Catholic Church, not the practices of individual Catholics. Christ called us all to holiness, Christ gave us what he expects of us but we are all sinners. The fact is, the Catholic Church holds the line on its teachings. The Catholic Church continues to condemn sinful behavior as specified by Jesus Christ and the Bible while most Protestant denominations accept the behaviors I listed in my post above, despite Jesus condemnation of these same behaviors.

If you can name me one non-Catholic denomination that still strongly condemns as sinful ALL on the list I gave such as fornication, living together without marriage, divorce, contraception, etc, I would love to hear about them.

As far as the Priest abuse scandal, statistically, the ratio of pedophile protestant ministers is higher than that of Catholic Priests. Why this is not publicized should in itself tell you who is attacking the Catholic Church. This is just one of many ways that Satan is using to hurt Christs true Church in the world. Even Christ had his sinners in his midst such as Judas. His disciples abandoned him and Peter rejected him, yet he still gave them charge of his Church.

Posted by Casting Crowns on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 12:49 PM (EDT):

@Rob: You might want to address what I actually said rather than your own spin. Coming together in areas of common purpose doesn’t mean agreement concerning doctrine.
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My parish (and diocese) refuses to join with local Evangelicals on the National Day of Prayer. Do you have a problem with that? They also refuse to “mingle” with non Catholic pro-life walks which other churches sponsor. Do you have a problem with that also?
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When is the last time your Pastor or Bishop invited a Protestant minister whose church is down the block for lunch or a round of golf? Is this submitting to temptation of the devil?
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And of course it takes someone like you to bear false witness against what the Vatican calls “Our separated bretheren” to say these people reject the Scriptures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
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If yours is an example of Pope Francis’ “New Evangelism” for Catholics, God help us. Perhaps your parish and diocese think this only means Catholics evangelizing Catholics (and no one else).

Posted by Rob on Monday, May 13, 2013 6:24 PM (EDT):

Not only does Casting Crowns not make sense, what he say is just not true. The Catholic church has been repeatedly reaching out to re-gather the flock and resolve issues. Catholic ecumenicalism has been a major push since the 1920s.
Every parish I’ve been involved in, the pastor has worked closely with other churches on community food banks and shelters.
It is not being stuffy to stick to what you know and believe is right.
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Casting’s idea of joining with other churches includes rejecting the scriptures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit - that is not joining that is submitting to the temptation of the devil.

Posted by Casting Crowns on Monday, May 13, 2013 4:07 PM (EDT):

@St Donatus: Oh, I see—Protestants are responsible and “most could care less about sexual morality.”
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How about taking off your rose colored Catholic glasses, Donatus. Don’t lecture us about how sexually moral Catholics are. 53% of you elected your guy Obama 2x as President even though He radically supports abortion, partial birth abortion and gay marriage. How moral is it of you to vote for such a person? And do you really want to bring up who has been in the news the last dozen years in terms of sexual immorality and the $$$ spent in settlements?
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Donatus, you can extrat that “St” from your own name unless sin has not touched your own life. Perhaps you yourself walk on water?
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By your own admission: [“Protestant churches are a tiny group compared to the Catholic Church world wide with a billion members.]” You thus make the case that Catholics, rather than Protestants are responsible for sexual immorality since you have the sheer weight of “numbers” on your side. And btw, salvation is not obtained by church membership. Moreover, salvation is only found through the blood of Christ.
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I’ve read a lot of blatant nonsense and ugliness on the NCR blogs, but you’re the first to blame all sexual immorality on people who are not Catholic. No doubt Nancy Pelosi and Patrick Leahy are grateful to you.
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According to Donatus, sexual immorality is a disease Protestants carry and infect society with.

Posted by St Donatus on Monday, May 13, 2013 3:13 PM (EDT):

@Casting Crowns,
Your response doesn’t seem to make any sense. How can we ‘join’ with Protestants when most could care less about sexual morality. There was a time when Protestant churches and the Catholic Church agreed on most moral issues, that is why stores were closed on Sunday, nobody worked on Sunday (other than emergency workers), fornication was basically illegal (you couldn’t get a hotel room unless you were married), divorce was not legal, contraception was illegal, etc. But now, ONLY the Catholic Church holds the line on all these issues. The only way we could ‘join’ them is if we compromised on truth. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS CHRISTS CHURCH, the others are just Satan’s way of ‘dividing’ Christians into ever more discordant groups. Protestant churches are a tiny group compared to the Catholic Church world wide with a billion members.

Posted by Casting Crowns on Monday, May 13, 2013 12:46 PM (EDT):

@Terrian Williams: You wrote in CAPS above: [“WE AS A CHURCH HAVE GOT TO GET UNITED ON THESE ISSUES—WE ARE TOO DIVDED—THEREFORE PERSECUTION WILL AND IS COMING.”]
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Then I would suggest people change their perspective that the Church is the “entire” Body of Christ which includes all who believe in Christ and not just the Catholic Church. Since pew Catholics never budge and always sit on the sidelines taking their cue from Bishops, isn’t it about time we join with fellow Evangelicals and Protestants in those areas of common agreement to stand against these attacks? It is Satan who loves a house divided. Why are our diocesan Bishops so stuffy about this and thus avoid any contact with local Christian Pastors even in areas of common purpose?

Posted by Terrian Williams on Saturday, May 11, 2013 10:45 PM (EDT):

Church: this is just the tip of the iceberg—more is coming—we are either for God and the Church or we’re for Satan’s side—we gotta put Christ and his teachings first whether we go to jail or pay the fines—going to jail—if that’s what it takes will show that the Catholic Church means business—WE HAVE TO STAND UP AGAINST THE CULTURE OF RELATIVISM AND AGAINST THE STATE IF THAT"S WHAT IT TAKES—WE AS A CHURCH HAVE GOT TO GET UNITED ON THESE ISSUES—WE ARE TOO DIVDED—THEREFORE PERSECUTION WILL AND IS COMING—WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU GOING TO BE ON? PRAISE GOD for the Bishop of Columbus! We need to take this seriously—JESUS SAID THAT IF WE ARE TRUE TO HIM, WE WILL SUFFER TOO BUT WE CAN ALSO REJOICE AS THE APOSTLES DID TO BE FOUND WORTHY TO SUFFER FOR THE SAKE OF HIS (JESUS) NAME—DO NOT BACK DOWN AND COMPROMISE!!!! WHEN WE STAND BEFORE CHRIST AND GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR OUR LIFE—WE WANT TO BE FOUND WORTHY OF CHRIST.

Posted by gloria on Saturday, May 11, 2013 4:37 PM (EDT):

I commend this diocese for doing what is right instead of folding to social pressure. It is shameful that those who consider themselves Catholic or Christian would disagree with the decision to fire an openly homosexual teacher in a Catholic school! Private sin is one thing, and we are all guilty of such. However, to pride-fully, publicly proclaim your sin while collecting pay check for being a moral role model is quite another issue.

Posted by Tim Scheidler on Friday, May 10, 2013 5:31 PM (EDT):

““There are many things that the Catholic Church considers immoral, but why is this treated any differently than adultery, divorce or birth control?””

We also fire teachers for adultery, divorce, and birth control.

Posted by Glitch Villa on Friday, May 10, 2013 3:39 PM (EDT):

Wow, as a former nerd student from that sports fanatical prototype Catholic co-ed high school, all I can say is, I have been waiting for something like this for almost 50 years! This is more dramatic than 0-9 football season! Sort of like getting hit by lightning on a clear day and then hearing a Voice resonate from a jet contrail that is shaped like the Archangel Michael.
You would think that phantom letter came from the Vatican, and it said, “Listen up, Campbell…get right on this!”
Geesh…if the Dumbbell had just sandbagged the thing like everything else, at least till the end of the school year, and then told the dear woman that, hey, you need to move on to a different teaching venue, well crap, most people would have been on vacation and would have hardly noticed…but Nooooo, His Excellency had to fire her with the help of his tool Hutson after the poor woman came back from bereavement leave and on the day before Good Friday. So much for sensitivity after 19 years of dedicated service.
To top it all off, now the bishop could be spending some jail time for a violation of the city code. Now that really cracks me up. We all know that won’t happen, but maybe house arrest would be okay…I guess we’d call it chancery arrest. He’d still be living like a king, but he just couldn’t go out to any fund raisers in the Heights for awhile.

Posted by Pam on Friday, May 10, 2013 2:25 PM (EDT):

Midwest Lady. It is reported here that this woman first got the job as a heterosexually married woman and divorced and chose a gay lifestyle. You are misrepresenting the situation. Also as an employee of a Catholic school it was reported she had to sign a “morals” clause and she was lying to sign it and live as part of homosexual couple. She lied. She didn’t care that she lied and she hates our Churches teaching. That seems pretty clear cut. Frank. Trolling. Other people and other sins aren’t the issue here. This woman and her actions are. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Posted by midwestlady on Friday, May 10, 2013 12:10 PM (EDT):

Here’s the problem: If they knew they didn’t want a homosexual employee on staff, why did they hire her in the first place? This is the issue. Now somebody who had a job that she thought was okay doesn’t have a job. Get your crap together people. Make up your minds, one way or the other.

Posted by DW on Friday, May 10, 2013 12:02 PM (EDT):

@Frank: YES, let’s organize to protest organizations! That will show em. (sic)

Posted by Frank on Friday, May 10, 2013 11:40 AM (EDT):

“Now, your real issue seems to be the attack of the dreaded “organized
religion” .... oooooh. Yes, abuse happens in unorganized circles, but
there’s no money to be had there.”

I think part of Jesus’ complaint was against the Temple system at the time interfering with a one on one relationship with God. This really scared the organized religion of the Temple system. But yes, I believe you can be Christian without an organized religion.

I note the SWIFT punishment of this lesbian gym teacher with the decades long foot dragging of the problems with priest. Justice delayed is justice denied. I also object to the claim to moral authority of the Roman Catholic Church because of these inconsistencies.

My attack is actually on organizations, not just religious ones. Think about the Boy Scouts. Same crimes, same cover up, declining membership, declining corporate and individual donations, corporate pressure, lack of access to some state and local facilities. Response: OK we will allow gay scouts now but not gay scout leaders, because, you know of all the gay recruitment (mentioned here above) and pedophilia by gay men.

This all comes across to me as a Roman Catholic Church with besieged mindset. First world countries are progressing. The Roman Catholic Church should take heed and focus on God not millennial old dogma.

Posted by Casting Crowns on Friday, May 10, 2013 11:36 AM (EDT):

@Frank: Except for the most cynical of Catholics, most every other Catholic (along with Protestants) will agree every church has sin present inside the church including sinful leaders. As a result, if it’s your wish for people to disown or leave their faith it’s not going to happen except for those of weak understanding regarding the gospel. A believer’s salvation has nothing to do with church leadership. These guys come and go,—the good and the bad.
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You misunderstand Christianity. Bishops, Popes, Pastors including canonized saints are no different from ordinary men Everyone is a sinner. Our faith is in Christ, not flawed and sinful men.

Posted by DW on Friday, May 10, 2013 9:43 AM (EDT):

@Frank: I don’t argue the decades pasts and the misguided treatment of the 4% as psychological problems vs. criminal. My point is that per your own sources, the church ....

“In June 2002, the USCCB established the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People”, a comprehensive set of procedures for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The charter includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse.[121] It also directs action in the following matters:
* Creating a safe environment for children and young people;
* Healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors;
* Making prompt and effective response to allegations;
* Zero tolerance policy on abusers: If a credible accusation is made against a cleric, they are permanently removed from ministry regardless of how long ago the offense occurred;[139]
* Cooperating with civil authorities;
* Disciplining offenders;
* Providing for means of accountability for the future to ensure the problem continues to be effectively dealt with through a national Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and a National Review Board.
In other words, the US National Review Board now requires dioceses faced with an allegation to alert the authorities, conduct an investigation and remove the accused from duty.[140]
The Board also approached John Jay College of Criminal Justice to conduct a descriptive study of the nature and scope of the problem of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. The College assembled an experienced team of researchers with expertise in the areas of forensic psychology, criminology, and human behavior, and, working with the Board, formulated a methodology to address the study mandate. Data collection commenced in March 2003, and ended in February 2004.”

Now, your real issue seems to be the attack of the dreaded “organized religion” .... oooooh. Yes, abuse happens in unorganized circles, but there’s no money to be had there.

Posted by Frank on Friday, May 10, 2013 8:47 AM (EDT):

“The media gave Rand Paul a tough time over past comments he made about the civil rights act, but here’s the thing: Any anti-discrimination law serves to destroy the right of a private business or organization to choose who to hire or do business with.”

I think every American has the right to engage in economic activity anywhere and everywhere in the country without discrimination.

And you think African-Americans, Jews and Catholics could get hired in the deep south without these protections? That African-Americans can get a good education in the deep south? That “Equal Pay for Equal Work” is unfair? Businesses are clearly governed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and Federal law. If you don’t like these laws, work to repeal them.

Religious organizations? Ah, that is where things get messy.

Posted by Frank on Friday, May 10, 2013 8:33 AM (EDT):

“Per your 10:28 post, the church has made great strides over the last decade to “clean up” wayward actions (of which I like so many found repulsive) - which I assume you might applaud as well.”

This is utter nonsense. The press, law enforcement and private lawyers seeking $$$ are forcing the clean up. You trivialize this issue. Finally, Pope Francis wants to get his all out in the open and behind the church. It will be interesting to see if any archdiocese comes forward before a victim forces the issue.

You can’t prevent bad people from doing bad things in a free society. The cover-ups, for DECADES in some cases, are immoral and come from an organization focused on self-preservation above all else.

Per Wikipedia: “Other sources of concern in addition to the abuse itself was the failure of the Roman Catholic Church to prevent future abuse by clergy who had come to the attention of religious authorities.”

“BTW, what catholic priests are openly engaged in gay unions and have not been scrutinized?

None. this is the hypocrisy of it all. Keep your sins private and you can serve the church. Make them public and we will ferret you out. “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” lives on in the Roman Catholic Church.

Posted by Robert Hill on Thursday, May 9, 2013 9:15 PM (EDT):

We must do our best to hand on true Catholic values to our children. Teachers who teach that evil is good must NOT be allowed in Catholic schools! Including so-called “Catholic” colleges and universities. Failure in this regard should be very troubling to any bishop.

Ask yourself: what is “gay”? It is self-defined. If you stop thinking you are “gay,” you stop BEING “gay.” What it is is depraved, habituated behavior, NOT inherent essence. If we follow the lie of Hollywood that “orientation” is part of who we are (and we must experiemnt to discover whether or not we are “gay”), we become the tools of the devil.

Children must be encouraged in the good and led away from the bad. Pornea is bad. Tragically, Hollywood and the sexual-commercial complex have brainwashed most Americans. Maybe 1% have read Mark 7:21-23, 1 Cor 6:10, and 1 Tim 1:10; while 99.9% have repeatedly seen pornea portrayed as acceptable or good on TV and in movies, magazines, newspapers and ads.

If you bathe in mental manure long enough, you’re bound to come out thinking funny. So I beg you: Don’t let the kids watch TV! (We pray “Lead me not into temptation.” Yet we let kids freely watch TV!? Even daytime “soaps” are full of “soft” porn, and “sitcoms” routinely show practicing “gays” in a positive light.)

†

Posted by Joanp62 on Thursday, May 9, 2013 7:29 PM (EDT):

Frank, personally, I do not view Islam as a True religion of the 3 “major world religions”. It contradicts Judaism and Christianity so either Islam is true and Christianity is false or visa versa. Christianity came out of Judaism and it is easy to see. The Old Testament prophesies concern the Messiah who we believe as Christians is Jesus, the Christ of God. So, for a Catholic and other Christians, Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant, Judaism; and Christianity is the One True Faith, the Catholic Church being the Church founded by Jesus. Islam is a heresy although they do claim to believe in the same God-the God of Abraham. But their beliefs contradict ours, whereas Christianity does not contradict Judaism, it proceeded from it after Christ, and what needed to be changed due to His death and Resurrection were changed.
Your opinions on the Catholic Church hardly matter-it is the Church’s job to bring the world to Christ Jesus and the Truth, not to conform to what the world thinks it should be. No one is forcing you to accept that, but that is what it is and the Church will not change doctrinal truth. What the Church has changed are disciplines and traditions with a small ‘t’, not its teachings on faith and morals or Tradition, the oral teaching passed down by the Apostles. As for it’s authority to change disciplines- Our Lord told his apostles, what you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, what you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. That authority was handed down to all the Bishops and Popes to this very day.

Posted by Pam on Thursday, May 9, 2013 5:34 PM (EDT):

Frank, You are not sincerely interested in the Truth. Arguing about what is taught, without knowing the faith is foolish. Homosexual relations are condemned not only in the Old Testament, but the New Testament as well. After receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter, Paul and Jude all write about homosexual relations as gravely sinful. See their Epistles. As to your reply, 1. still inflammatory and inaccurate. It is ALWAYS sinful for a Catholic to knowingly and willingly feed a temptation. To feed a tendency by claiming it as one’s identity would be sinful. Sin is overcome by turning away from it and toward God, from ignoring the temptation, not giving it an abode in your soul and first place as your identity. 2. Inflammatory, perhaps slanderous, hypothetical at best, inaccurate, and just plain wrong. If priests are doing as you say and you have proof, report it and persist until they are kicked out. If they are so good at hiding it only they know, then God knows and they will pay and like David, these priests bring the punishment on all of us as well. 3.“Will many be saved?” “Take the narrow path. The road is wide that leads to destruction.”
Now despite your orneriness and the fact that you consider people pointing out the Truth as condemning you to Hell, God will be your judge and He loves you. He is waiting for you to repent of all sin, not justify it. It doesn’t matter how many lousy sinners there are in this world or on this blog, if the facts about this teacher are reported correctly, she has at least caused scandal,(if she somehow, by reason of incompetence or something hasn’t sinned),and she does NOT repent. She may be incapable of repentance because of some reason God alone is aware of and she may or may not go to Hell, but she IS defiant in her stance against upholding the contract she signed to live in accord with Church teaching and no one else’s conduct matters. She is the one on the line and she says in effect, “I will live in a Catholicly scandalous relationship and work in a locker room with pubescent teens who are finding themselves and I will not call my living arrangements scandalous or wrong or sinful.” She is making a choice and it has consequences. She has at the very least broken her contract.

Posted by DW on Thursday, May 9, 2013 2:37 PM (EDT):

@Frank: Your comments display an element of ignorance (or bigotry?) in regard to much in catholic teaching and christian salvation history.

Per your 10:28 post, the church has made great strides over the last decade to “clean up” wayward actions (of which I like so many found repulsive) - which I assume you might applaud as well. Now that a bishop continues to enact a similar path, you stomp your foot, how dare he. All to support an agenda of your choosing I suppose. BTW, what catholic priests are openly engaged in gay unions and have not been scrutinized?

Posted by Frank on Thursday, May 9, 2013 10:43 AM (EDT):

Thanks for this: “Dietary laws were ritual laws that could be changed and Jesus’ Apostles decided back in early Christianity-see Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament-that the Gentile converts to The Way (what Christianity was called in the beginning) did not need to get circumcised or follow the dietary laws.”

Did they go through all of the Old Testament and strike down all the rules and regulations? on slavery for instance (the religious founding fathers had slaves 1,000+ years after the New Testament was set in stone)? Polygamy? etc. I think not. But, rules do change and maybe some that are not all caught up in the past, almost 2,000 year past, will slowly bring Catholic teachings to a reasonable, modern system. So, change is possible and reasonable people should work for change.

“In a vision, Peter was told by God that ALL foods are clean.”

This points out my problem with people of the Book religions: rules and regulations are different from the same God to the three different groups. Supposedly the same God requires observant Jews to eat Kosher, observant
Muslims to follow Halal and Christians are free to eat anything they want. Same God, different rules? Maybe different people interpreting what God wants and coming to different conclusions.

The dietary food laws of Lent for Catholics have also evolved over time. So, again, maybe change is possible even for the Roman Catholic church.

Posted by Frank on Thursday, May 9, 2013 10:28 AM (EDT):

Pam: “Frank; Inflamatory comments. Troll tactic. Can’t deny the truth of a statement so change the subject. This woman denies she was committing a moral wrong.

Back on topic.

1) Homosexual acts are against the Catholic Church not homosexuals. Did the teacher publicly disclose her homosexual acts? I think not.

2) What about all the gay priests? Some of which are in long term committed relationships. These appear OK as long as they are not publicized. So, the real crime here is publishing the information. Everything would be OK if the teacher continued to “Don’t tell.” Again, this is hypocritical of some Catholics.

The anger and hatred expressed by this action is not Christian at all. And “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” seems to have escaped many on this list.

Posted by Joanp62 on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 5:04 PM (EDT):

Frank,“So must Catholics also follow the kosher food laws? The Old Testament rules?”

Jimmy Akin did a write up/video on this site about the Old Testament Laws and what laws were civil, moral or ritual laws. Dietary laws were ritual laws that could be changed and Jesus’ Apostles decided back in early Christianity-see Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament-that the Gentile converts to The Way (what Christianity was called in the beginning) did not need to get circumcised or follow the dietary laws. In a vision, Peter was told by God that ALL foods are clean.

Anyway, click on Jimmy Akin under blogs up top and you can search for his article.

Posted by Pam on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 4:49 PM (EDT):

Frank; Inflamatory comments. Troll tactic. Can’t deny the truth of a statement so change the subject. This woman denies she was committing a moral wrong. Of course unrepentant laypeople caught committing grave sins or causing scandal are dismissed.

Posted by Frank on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 3:42 PM (EDT):

“By His word, notice how God refers to the land in Leviticus 18:22-30….

and also from Exodus and Leviticus:

“Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). So, first off, the commandment is to EVERYONE.
“And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death” (Leviticus 20:10).”

Do Catholics really practice this? Or do Catholics selectively chose what parts of the Old Testament are relevant and what are not?

Posted by Frank on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 3:30 PM (EDT):

“@Frank,
Why would we want your money anyway? If the Catholic Church allowed money to influence it’s beliefs, then I would know it doesn’t come from God.”

My checks were always cashed in the past, no questions asked. Money is money and believe me, money will come to bear on this issue. My checks stop now.

Posted by Frank on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 3:26 PM (EDT):

“Anyone commenting that this woman has never influenced any children toward the homosexual lifestyle is being naïve. Children do not have to be overtly solicited to be led to the lifestyle.”

What about children of fathers who cheat on their wives? Mothers that cheat on their husbands? Mothers that use birth control? Are they also influenced? And should they be dismissed from any Catholic job?

And since one poster here is deep into Leviticus as the road map for Christians:

“11 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: 3 You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud.

4 “‘There are some that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, but you must not eat them.”

So must Catholics also follow the kosher food laws? The Old Testament rules?

Posted by vance on Monday, May 6, 2013 9:12 PM (EDT):

A standing ovation for Bishop Campbell. This is a preview of what is to come. The Marxist Democrat Party set this whole matter up as a weapon to persecute the Catholic Church. The persecution is coming.

Posted by Casting Crowns on Monday, May 6, 2013 1:41 PM (EDT):

@St. Donatus: [“When was the last time you heard the word Hell, Satan, or Sin condemned strongly in a sermon.”]
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I think it might have been in August of 1983? Please check with your own parish homily downloads. Many Protestant churches provide a free CD for your taking as you leave church. Seriously, though, these topics are avoided because they are divisive and might upset the collection plate giving. The problem with not preaching the full gospel is that you are then guility of teaching a comprimised (false) gospel. Last time I read Matthew, it seems Jesus was also divisive and wasn’t into playing a role of “Kumbaya” Rabbi.
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[“Most Catholics sit in front of the TV for three or four hours a night being feed the worldly views that Mortal sin is normal, fun, and uncontrollable.”]
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Let’s see: Two 1/2 Men, Sex in the City, Will and Grace, Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Glee,—to name a few. And then in the bygone Presidential election of 1992 when VP Dan Quayle raised the question of the Hollywood Press celebrating “Murphy Brown” having a child outside of marriage it was he who received the criticism and scorn of Democrats, the media elites and David Letterman’s. Investing 4, 3 or even one hour per night in God’s word is far more productive for the soul than any of the aforementioned TV programs.

Posted by David on Monday, May 6, 2013 12:22 PM (EDT):

The diocese may have been perfectly correct to fire her, but I hope some analysis was put into what lesson would be learned by those who learned of the firing. In this case it seems sad but understandable to fire her, but in some other cases firing a teacher may send the wrong message (see example below). And we must remember, even if someone is justifiably fired, we can still feel sympathy for the person. We are all sinners, and being a practising lesbian means she is acting contrary to Church teaching; it does not necessarily mean that one is not a Catholic Christian.

For instance, to take a different example from another state years ago, a teacher in NY was fired from a Catholic school because she was pregnant (and unmarried). My concern at the time was that firing her sent the implicit message to all students that if the teacher had e.g. secretly had a (legal, but immoral) abortion she would have kept her job; essentially I saw firing her as devaluing the morality of life. How many students who learned of this may have been pushed towards deciding to get an abortion themselves if they got pregnant from pre-marital sex and feared for how they would be treated by those around them? I think Pope Francis (when he was a Cardinal) spoke against those who fail to have sympathy for single mothers or who make it hard to get baptisms, when they are living the ethic of life by not having an abortion.

Posted by St Donatus on Monday, May 6, 2013 11:16 AM (EDT):

@Michele,

Your point is well taken. The things you witnessed are exactly why our parishes need to take living in Mortal sin seriously. How can God bless his Church when so many openly act as if there is nothing wrong with it? When you never hear the priests talk about these things in their sermons, the terrible results of living in Mortal sin, for families, children, and souls of those involved, how do we expect people to act. When was the last time you heard the word Hell, Satan, or Sin condemned strongly in a sermon. Most Catholics sit in front of the TV for three or four hours a night being feed the worldly views that Mortal sin is normal, fun, and uncontrollable. But they receive nothing, even from the Church, telling them that this isn’t true. Even if we were well catechized as a child, how do we expect to keep the faith when we feed ourselves sin so many hours a day without feeding ourselves holiness as well. It is like eating a little poison everyday, eventually it will kill you.

The fact is that God has given us, through his church, all the needed tools to end Mortal sin (and most venial sin) in our lives. But most are not willing to put forth the work. It involves daily prayer and devotion, reverent exercise of faith at every opportunity, Friday penance (as required by the church but rarely practiced), preparation for the sacrament of Communion, prayerful thanksgiving for reception of Communion, preparation for the sacrament of confession, prayerful thanksgiving for reception of confession, confession at least on a monthly basis, controlling our thoughts, etc.

If you are thinking that this is overkill, then you have already strayed far from the teachings of God. These are the basic requirements of God, given to us from his church.

I have to agree with some, how can we fire this woman, when we don’t handle the other mortal sins in our midst?

Posted by Rob on Friday, May 3, 2013 8:27 PM (EDT):

Freedom means associating with who you want to, not being forced to associate with people you do not want to.
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The diocese should have the right to end employment with anyone - even for no reason.
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While I don’t have any bad feelings toward gays(etc), I do see that some would not be comfortable with a gay person or an unmarried person living with another near their children.
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It is the schools choice not the over-bearing city/state’s.

Posted by Casting Crowns on Friday, May 3, 2013 7:30 PM (EDT):

@Frank Montez: You cannot argue someone into the Kingdom. These people have a bent. Paul says in Romans they are hostile to God. Quoting Scripture has no effect on them.

Posted by Michele on Friday, May 3, 2013 5:55 PM (EDT):

I was served as the part time parish cook at a relatively conservative parish in the mid west. Doing so enabled me to learn more about what was going on in the parish than I might otherwise have done as simply a member of the parish. I also volunteered as the receptionist in the parish office once each month which gave me still more access to what goes on behind the scenes at a parish. Shock! Shock! They behaved pretty much like all the rest of us. The office staff were often too busy to be bothered with parishoners, they talked about people behind their back, and in their private lives, they had many of the same issues going on as one sees portrayed daily in the news and in sit coms. I quickly leanred that the groundskeeper was living with his girlfriend, and the parish secretary had a son who was openly living with his girlfriend (and who later married in the church without, to the best of my knowledge, giving up the cohabitation). The really shocking part of all this to me, as a convert and one who thought she was entering “hallowed ground” when I entered the Church, was that these people spoke of all this openly without a trace of shame or emabrrassment. I did not learn all of this as part of whispered gossip. On the contrary: I learned it as part of casual conversation from the individuals themselves. A Catholic grade school was located on the church grounds. Both the secretary and the groundskeeper had frequent contact with parents and students.

My point here is the old one about familiarity. Being in constant contact with sin makes it seem so banal. Not even worth coment. And this is how we go from the atmosphere prevalent in the early 60’s, when my older sister became pregnant out of wedlock and quickly married to provide cover for her actions to the late 60’s when I did the same thing,, but did not bother with the wedding until a mere month before delivery, and only did it then because my mother in law, whom I deeply respected, urged me to do so. I saw nothing wrong with having a baby without being married.

But there is something wrong with it. It hurts children, families and society. As do all the offenses against virtue so prevalent today. We see the wreckage of our civilisation all around us, yet even among Catholics, we have trouble following the demands of our faith even when given leadership by courageous bishops, priests and school administrators.

Surely their could have been a better way to handle this situation. Terminiating a teacher in the middle of the year is a serious issue for the individual, and shortly after the death of her mother, it seems seriously lacking in charity. But however it was handled, the principle can’t be disputed. Catholic schools teach the faith not simply with words read in Catechism Class but by the living example and of their teachers. This teacher appears to have been examplary in many ways. But she was also living contrary to one of the primary teachings of our Faith. That can’t be ignored. It shouldn’t be swept under the rug. And neither should any other type of behavior contrary to the teachings of the faith. Living with one’s opposite sex fiance is no different, to my thinking, than what was going on here. NO different.

Posted by Frank Montez on Friday, May 3, 2013 5:48 PM (EDT):

1 Cor 6:9 ” Do you not know that the unrighteous will, not inherit the kingdom of God ? Do not be deceived ; neither the immoral , nor idolators , nor adulterers , nor homosexuals , nor thieves , nor the greedy , nor drunkards , nor revilers , nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God .” It’s good to when we call people to repent or it causes such scandal that is , it makes it normal or acceptable for a teacher in the employ of the Church not to live out and indeed live very contrary to the church’s teaching . We are not just another employer but stewards and shepherds of truth and morality . This teacher’s soul and all teachers souls are in jeopardy if we let it slide . We look the other way in ” polite” society but we’re called to be our brother’s keeper . for the sake of all souls whether it be a teacher, janitor , priest or bishop . If it comes out that someone’s living in sin then let them go .Hetero or sodomite .

Posted by Frank Montez on Friday, May 3, 2013 5:06 PM (EDT):

Where do we draw the line when we fire people ? It will only be consistent if we fire anyone , either in an adulterous relationship or otherwise in another grave moral sin . If it’s just a job with them and they don’t believe in the Catholic Church’s teachings and so therefore won’t live their lives accordingly , they should be fired . But since sin is so normal ( shacking up , contraception, adultery , choice to kill your baby, etc. ) we should tolerate and look the other way ? God doesn’t tolerate evil but condemns the sin but hopes to win the sinner back from the power of death and Hell . Heaven or hell those are the only options people . Rom 6:23 ” For the wages of sin is death , but thw free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord .”

Posted by Nancy on Thursday, May 2, 2013 2:54 PM (EDT):

People….it doesn’t matter if she is a Catholic or not! She is working in a Catholic School. Her contract….THAT SHE SIGNED….states that she is living a life IN LINE with Catholic Morals and in union with the Catholic Church….PERIOD. She broke her contract and therefore, the contract is null and void.

It matters not whether you agree with Catholic teaching. It matters not that “10% of the population is homosexual (where did you grab THAT number?)”. It matters NOT that we live in a diverse society.

@Evan…you have yet to answer the question that St. Donatus asked you. I’m interested in your answer. You see…you can’t have it both ways.

@Jeff Brewster…..Never have truer words been spoken!

Posted by Casting Crowns on Thursday, May 2, 2013 12:06 PM (EDT):

@Kathleen Gemeiner: [“Ms. Hale is not a Catholic and I don’t think we should insist that non-Catholic teachers adhere to Catholic beliefs. But beyond that, I also think the Church’s position on homosexuality is wrong. It is unrealistic to think that the 10% of the population that is homosexual should live their lives without sex. I personally think gay marriage should be legal so that those who are gay can live a legal and open committed relationship.’].

1. No one is insisting Ms. Hale personally adhere to Catholic beliefs. She does not need to be Catholic. The issue is job performance in terms of behavior. She does have to adhere to a morals clause —not her own view of morality but the view of the organization she works for. No one twisted her arm to come work for a Catholic institution. She was already aware of what the church stands for. If she didn’t know, that’s reason enough to fire her on the basic grounds of incompetency. And if that is true, the Catholic administrator who hired her should also be fired for their own incompetency.
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2. In any workplace, you sign and agree to a certain standard or code of ethics. The Catholic church, Protestant church, US government and public companies all have them. If you breach them you are always subject to dismissal.
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3. You stated you think the Catholic church’s position on homosexuality is wrong. What you “think” is immaterial and irrelevant. As a private entity not accepting Federal funds, they have a right to any position they choose. Not so, however, with Catholic hospitals which take government money and then complain about the HHS mandate. Cardinal Dolan seems to have had a memory lapse about that in his enthusiasm to support Obamacare.
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4. “. . . that the 10% of the population is homosexual.” How many times have we heard this bogus line? Most studies which are credible and unbiased place the numbers at no more than 1 or 2% at most.

Posted by St Donatus on Thursday, May 2, 2013 11:24 AM (EDT):

@Kathleen Gmeiner,
You sound nice too but as I have pointed out in the past, would you let your child play in the middle of a interstate highway because they had a burning desire to do so. NO. Likewise God knows what is best for us both psychologically and physically. He designed us, so he knows. He doesn’t want people to play in the middle of the interstate (practice homosexual acts) because it is harmful to them in multiple ways. It has been found that in areas where homosexuality has been accepted as normal, there is still a much much much higher rate of suicide among homosexuals than heterosexuals. IN the order of 8 times higher. Children brought up by homosexual parents have 5 times the rate of problems such as suicide, drug use, sexual promiscuity, psychological problems, and maladjustment. Sexual diseases such as Aids plague this lifestyle.

Once again, God proves himself correct and man wrong. If some corporation produced a product that caused the same problems homosexuality does, even if at a much smaller rate, that product would be banned.

Now you must ask yourself, if someone comes to get involved with homosexual life style due to your ‘acceptance’ of them, then becomes involved in one of these destructive behaviors, are you then somewhat culpable for not listening to God and his Church?

Please pray about this and be honest with God and yourself.

Posted by DW on Thursday, May 2, 2013 7:26 AM (EDT):

@Evan, very good points and post. It will be interesting to see how “contractual law” and recent “civil city laws” sort out. A strong case can be made it is not discriminatory against people ... but actions (morality). And isn’t that the real battle our society faces? I unfortunately feel that the battle can be won ... but the war lost—given today’s viewpoints and mouthpieces.

Posted by Kathleen Gmeiner on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 7:54 PM (EDT):

I disagree with the firing of Carla Hale and I disagree with the policy that led to her firing. We live in a diverse society and we need to promote tolerance. We can teach our students to adhere to moral principles and also teach them that ultimately they will have to follow their own conscience. When our students graduate, they will enter a work world where they will be exposed to people of different beiefs and different behaviors and they will need to determine whether they will adhere to Catholic beliefs or not. Ms. Hale is not a Catholic and I don’t think we should insist that non-Catholic teachers adhere to Catholic beliefs. But beyond that, I also think the Church’s position on homosexuality is wrong. It is unrealistic to think that the 10% of the population that is homosexual should live their lives without sex. I personally think gay marriage should be legal so that those who are gay can live a legal and open committed relationship.

Posted by Martha on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 4:19 PM (EDT):

“Posted by patrick oconnor on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 8:33 AM (EDT):
In times of universal deceit (gay marriage) to tell the truth (bishop) becomes a revolutionary act (criminal charges/persecution) orsen welles. Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of God. “

Patrick, you seem nice

Posted by Cyril on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 4:17 PM (EDT):

I’m not an attorney but it seems clear in light of CORPORATION OF PRESIDING BISHOP v. AMOS, 483 U.S. 327 that the school was in its right to fire the coach. In the case cited, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the Mormon church after it had fired a janitor at one of its public facilities (not even a church or temple) for failing a religion test. Now, if the Supreme Court ruled—unanimously—in favor of the Mormon Church when it fired a janitor at a public facility for flunking a religion test, how much more so would it rule in favor of the Diocese of Columbus for firing a lesbian coach? I understand that the City of Columbus has its own anti-discrimination laws, but look at how many times the high court has struck down municipal laws as being overreaching and unconstitutional.

Posted by Pam on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 2:58 PM (EDT):

Frank you are just wrong. The law does allow a Catholic school to discriminate based on the tenets of its faith. Homosexual relationships are gravely sinful to Catholics and while we try to love the person to wholeness we are not required to expose our students to teachers who see no moral wrong with the lifestyle in contradiction to our faith. This woman has already caused scandal by saying publicly she does believe there is a moral wrong. Despite her and her partners vaginas she sees nothing disordered with them coupling sexually. Catholics do. It would be not only absurd but sinful to support her continuing as a teacher in a Catholic school and it would be much greater discrimination to force her on a whole Catholic community. Your conscience seems to be dead.

Posted by Jeff Brewster on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 2:15 PM (EDT):

What a mess. This is why we homeschool.

Posted by St Donatus on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 12:22 PM (EDT):

@Evan,
So if someone gets hired and starts teaching the kids to become Muslim terrorists, that is okay because if they fired them it would be discriminating against their religion. This whole argument is so incredibly stupid. It is like all logic has gone out the window.

It looks like true Christians will need to look forward to official persecution. They can’t practice their religion because that is discrimination. Such a bunch of hog wash.

As it was in Nazi Germany, it doesn’t matter what the law says, what matters is what is right in Gods eyes, period.

Posted by Evan on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 10:26 AM (EDT):

Folks writing here don’t seem to be acknowledging the distinction between 1st amendment-protected “religious liberty” and the laws that bind employers. The Supreme Court decision pertained only to ministerial positions, which are unique and different from other employment classifications. That ruling did not grant the Catholic Church, or any other employer license to violate Federal, State, or local anti-discrimination laws by virtue of being a religious institution. While there is currently no Federal law which recognizes sexual orientation as a protected class, there IS such an ordinance in Columbus, Ohio, and in many other Ohio cities. No private agreement or contract between an employer and employee is valid if it is illegal, and, therefore, if the Columbus Diocese asserts that the teacher was fired based on a breach of the contract which required her to maintain moral standards in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, then the Diocese has, in effect, exposed the entire contract to possible nullification by the courts.
It seems like what many here are arguing for in the “right” of the church to discriminate, and that discrimination is somehow an exercise in “freedom of speech”.
Historically, where Catholics have been persecuted on the basis of their beliefs, or subjected to categorical discrimination champions of democracy from all faiths and persuasions have rallied to their cause. It seems that the Columbus Diocese has placed itself on the other side of that conflict, and now stands at odds with both the law and community standards. Instead of being a champion for justice and equality, the Diocese is exposing itself as intolerant, un-loving, and anti-democratic. It needn’t be that way. The church also contributes to the community in positive ways -even standing up for workers rights and humane immigration reform on occasion. So there appear to be two competing trends within the church; one which builds upon the church’s legacy as a communal “good neighbor”, and another which values adherence to a rigid and narrow interpretation of Catholic teachings over the church’s reputation and relations within the larger community.
If the Columbus Catholic Diocese wants to be an island then it can not also be an employer. In Columbus, at least, discrimination means isolation…..and fines.
Fortunately, many alumni of the school in question and parents, and students from that and other area Catholic schools are raising their voices in support of the fired teacher. In a sense, they are the new, progressive face of Catholicism, drawing upon the best of Catholic traditions, while the Diocese represents the flip side of that coin.

Posted by DW on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 8:10 AM (EDT):

@Frank: Come on man, learn biblical context please.

Posted by Cheryl on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 11:57 PM (EDT):

I am praying for the bishop of Cleveland, and all the bishops of Ohio to revisit the Holy Love messages. These messages and prayers point out the obtuse conscience of the heart of the world: most folks cannot tell the difference between good and evil. The “Seven Modern-day Sorrows of Mary” spell today’s problems out loud and clear. The Church is on the path to reupholding the teachings of our holy Faith, which is great. This event and this time comprise a teachable moment for our bishops. Mary, Protectress of the Faith, open their hearts and ours to the workings of the Holy Spirit. We must all pray rosaries for our bishops and for the conversion of the heart of the world.

Posted by St Donatus on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 5:29 PM (EDT):

@Frank,
Why would we want your money anyway? If the Catholic Church allowed money to influence it’s beliefs, then I would know it doesn’t come from God. But in the time of the Apostles, money did not influence the Church. When the Church allowed money to influence it, it always caused many spiritual problems. The Bible and the Catholic Church are clear on what God wants and his requirements. He destroyed whole cities in ancient times because of their involvement in sodomy and homosexual acts. He makes it abundantly clear. But that wasn’t the only kind of sin he lashed out at. The problem is that many Catholics have come to accept some Mortal sins as okay, and others as not. The Church must be clear and fair on these issues just as Jesus Christ was. He forgave sinners but told them they must sin no more.

Posted by Morrie on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 5:24 PM (EDT):

So the Catholic Church is suppossed to sit back while its religious liberties are taken away by the current administration, and then sit back and have no say in the type of people that they can employ? The supreme court voted that the Catholic Church can hire and fire according to their beliefs 9-0. I say its time to give the Obama administration a taste of its own medicine.

Posted by Casting Crowns on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 4:34 PM (EDT):

@DJS: [“I still love our church, am a practicing homosexual, and am a principle cantor in our parish”].
.
Then you won’t mind telling us your name and your parish so we can all come and hear you sing. What you “love” is the attention you receive standing at the altar. You “love” the spotlight of sinful pride at Mass focused on yourself rather than your talent giving glory to God.
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What you “love” is the exercise of ritual rather than righteousness.
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Forgive the rest of us for not joining in celebration of your sin.

Posted by Frank on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 2:56 PM (EDT):

” Leviticus 18:22-30. ”

Leviticus is the third book of the Bible. The first five books of the Bible are the Torah—the religious work of the Jewish faith. How does a Jewish book of the Bible have influence on the Catholic Church?

In “The Bible” series on the History Channel, God instructed Joshua to kill every man, woman, child and animal in a group blocking his way to Jerusalem. Killing women and children is moral? Not in my book. Joshua was punished for not killing the animals. Wow!

The pagan Romans are widely castigated for killing every man, woman and child in the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. But it is OK for God to order the same punishment? Not in my book.

David had Bathsheba’s husband murdered in battle so he could marry his widow. This is moral?

Men and women do what they want and then sometimes use God to justify what they did. Funny thing is God does not deliver the same message to each man , woman and child. Almost like people can decide for themselves what God wants.

Posted by St Donatus on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 2:52 PM (EDT):

@DJS,

I lived through the 70’s and 80’s priests and laity that guided the church to its current terrible state. I left after being taught by these people that it was okay to do whatever I want as long as I show love to others and God. Why bother with an hour of church a week if I didn’t need to? Why listen to poorly done 70’s pop rock, if God didn’t care.

If I am unfaithful to my wife but outwardly show love to her and she finds out about my unfaithfulness, what does she do? Does she just say, that’s okay, he was always nice to me. No, most likely she will be very hurt and loose trust in me as well as love. Priests and laity that are unfaithful to God show the same kind of disrespect. I don’t care if most Catholics use contraceptives, and in other ways disobey God. They are showing unfaithfulness to God and he knows it. He likewise does not bless them or the churches (or ministries) they lead. That is why we find the Catholic Church in the current state with so many problems and open persecution by the media.

I came back, but I came back to a faithful Catholic parish run by a strict Latin mass fraternity. They tell me the truth, I listen, I am encouraged by the faithfulness of my fellow Catholics, and I grow in my faith in God. Sadly most priests and bishops still don’t tell us what we need to be doing to serve God as he wants. I pray daily that God bless us with priests who will encourage us to be better Christians.

Posted by Frank on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 2:29 PM (EDT):

Well, my annual contribution to a Catholic school in Ohio stops now. I normally make it near the end of the school’s funding calendar, so I was almost ready to write my check now. Not even going to pursue leaving money to them in my will after this. Maybe economic forces will bring Catholic schools around, just like the Boy Scouts.

Catholic doctrine? This evidently includes the cover up of crimes by priests against children. The initial crime may not be stoppable, but the cover up by the Catholic Church is immoral. What hypocrites.

Posted by Joanp62 on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 1:39 PM (EDT):

“It has been said that if it weren’t the the gay ministers in the 70’s and 80’s to maintain our higher places of worship, there would be more churches in disrepair”

So wait, you’re saying that the awful music, liturgies and liturgical abuses, removal of all beauty from our church buildings that went on in the 70’s and 80’s were the work of homosexuals? Well, that explains alot then.

Posted by DJS on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 5:59 AM (EDT):

Do the fine Roman Catholics know how many gays/lesbians lead their congregations to help bring them to their God? There are environmental enhancers, music directors, cantors, and even priests! It has been said that if it weren’t the the gay ministers in the 70’s and 80’s to maintain our higher places of worship - there would be many more churches in disrepair. As for homosexuality, it is not about the relationship - it is about the sex and there was no mention about sex in the obituary! I still love our church, am a practicing homosexual, and am a principle cantor in our parish - I still wonder about our “celibate” priestly leaders who still continue to parade in dresses while defining our moral standards

Posted by Pam on Monday, Apr 29, 2013 10:46 PM (EDT):

Anyone commenting that this woman has never influenced any children toward the homosexual lifestyle is being naïve. Children do not have to be overtly solicited to be led to the lifestyle. They get subtle messages that others think of them as not pretty enough or good enough to be happily married to a man. Or they get preferential treatment or harsher treatment etc. It is a form of grooming and a lot of kids don’t even realize they are being led to the lifestyle. There is no place for anyone who lives the lifestyle in a Catholic school. They would need to be willing to separate from the partner and truly repent. The gospel is clear on the sinfulness of same sex relations. And who Starzec, who says it has to be a bad Catholic teacher. Students can have BOTH a good Catholic AND a good teacher. Shame on you if you don’t look at the moral influence people have on your children.

Posted by Cyril on Monday, Apr 29, 2013 5:29 PM (EDT):

starzec, I understand your point, but you must try to understand that many of the problems the church is encountering have arisen because it has been very inconsistent in its discipline. There are millions of people, for example, who think it’s OK to be Catholic and use contraception. Why? Because the church has looked the other way for so long. “Everybody is doing it, and neither my priest nor my bishop has spoken out against it; therefore, it must be OK.” This is the thinking of many people. Even Nancy Pelosi has used this excuse.) Many bishops and priests are starting to realize that a certain kind of scandal occurs when the church officially teaches one thing about morality but then silently looks away when her children openly disobey those teachings.

Posted by St Donatus on Monday, Apr 29, 2013 4:41 PM (EDT):

@starzec,
It sounds to me like it is more important to you to have a teacher your child likes and is more knowledgeable in a non-spiritual way than that they teach them to be good Catholics. What then is the point of having them in Catholic school? Why don’t you have them in Public schools? Because the teachers aren’t as good or the environment isn’t as good. Why would that be? Because the Catholic school is a Catholic institution supported by Catholic standards. Otherwise you like to have the benefits of Catholic standards as long as you don’t have to adhere to them.

Kind of like the US today. We in the 21st century benefit from the strong Christian values and freedom of religion that our forefathers built the country on but we don’t want to have to abide by the standards that made this country so great.

Posted by The Lives on Monday, Apr 29, 2013 3:34 PM (EDT):

I do not believe that the diocese should investigate all employee covertly as to their moral standings. All Catholic employees MUST examine their conscience and legal employment contracts and adhere to the terms of employment. The Bishop of Columbus is an honorable and just shepherd who is leading with courage and conviction. Ms. Hale and her legions must STOP the lies and move on.

Posted by starzec on Monday, Apr 29, 2013 3:30 PM (EDT):

I am all too aware of the Church’s teachings about homosexuality. But this woman was outed by an obituary after 19 years of exemplary service. Were there complaints? Did she ever encourage young people to try her lifestyle? NO!! Get past the obvious “they should be loved” facade and call it what it is, intolerance. It’s OK; the world needs bigotry. Afterall, if it weren’t for bigotry, the Bible would not have any meaning whatsoever.
I notice none of you has the courage to support good teachers. This is ironic since you are usually the ones lamenting the schools and teachers. You cannot have it both ways. I would rather have a dope smoking adulterer who knows the subject matter and how to teach kids teaching my son, than some holy roller who does not know poop from play-doh. Ever hear the saying, diamonds in the rough? When my son was in Catholic School, as I already eluded to, his favorite teacher was a divorcee, there were Lutherans and, God forbid, an actual Jew. No way the latter espouses anything even remotely Christian yet one of the best teachers in the entire place.
So when are the Catholic Schools going to have virginity tests and home visits for teachers? Good luck with that.

Posted by DW on Monday, Apr 29, 2013 3:12 PM (EDT):

As a parent of a Watterson student, this issue has struck us to the core. I to have struggled with what seems hypocritical (gay lifestyle vs say remarried spouse without an annulment or say a teacher with an affair, etc.). But, I think the answer lies in what Ms. Hale said (or did not say). I trust that if another teacher’s affair was made public and that teacher refused to stop the affair .. they also would be terminated. Clearly Ms. Hale was not going to stop and refused to see the sinfulness (remember, she is not cathlolic). Given this, I feel that the hypocrisy is lessened. And the action of immorality upheld. But the court of public opinion will continue to cascade upon this fine instituion.

Posted by GERMAN P on Sunday, Apr 28, 2013 4:04 PM (EDT):

GREAT FOR THE MORAL STAND THIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND BISHOP CAMBELL HAVE ,AS FOR THOSE SAYING YOU ARE BORN THIS WAY ,,,FUNNY BOLONA ,,, THIS WOMAN WAS MARRY TO A MAN AND AFTER DIVORCE, BY CHOOSING BEEN A LESBIAN ,NOT ONLY LIE TO THE SCHOOL BUT ALSO TELL US “THIS IS A CHOICE”.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH HER CHOICE BUT WITH THE LIE TO THE SCHOOL.

Posted by Linda Nelson on Sunday, Apr 28, 2013 2:39 AM (EDT):

The Catholic blogger “Mundabor” has an excellent article written by Fr. Dariusz Oko, Ph.D. called “Homoheresy, Homoideology, Homopropaganda, And Homomafia: Father Oko Speaks”. The title is very explanatory as to what it’s about.

Yes teachers in Catholics schools like priests and religious sisters and brothers (who used to run the schools)are required to LIVE lives in harmony with Christ and his Church. That means they do not fornicate, commit adultery, contracept, divorce and remarry, lie, steal, or any of the other vices. If they LIVE in an occassion of sin such as a lesbian relationship then they have to choice Christ or the vice. We have all denounced clergy abuse and vice…well its the same rule for everyone!!!

Posted by Zoe Brain on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 7:39 PM (EDT):

All the diocese has to do is to show that they treat remarried divorcees, and those cohabiting outside marriage in the same way. That way, they can’t be accused of using a “morals clause” as a mere pretext for prejudice, and all the commenters who support the Bishop are in the right.

Of course, there’s also the matter of breaking the law, but as Catholics, surely a prison sentence is a small price to pay for keeping one’s faith.

Posted by St Donatus on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 4:35 PM (EDT):

@The Lives,

Very well put and thanks for the background. God Bless our faithful Bishops as it appears Bishop Campbell is coming under persecution for upholding Catholic values.

Posted by The Lives on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 3:45 PM (EDT):

All teachers agree to the mission and proclamation of Catholic teachings upon hire at Bishop Watterson High School and ALL educational facilities within the Columbus diocese. This is the standard for years. Ms. Hale started her tenure as a married woman to her husband. She divorces and well simply forgot to mention her regression into other lifestyle decisions, but kept signing those pesky contracts year in and year out! How deceptive, self centered, and dishonest. Now, she wants to wail and gnash her teeth before the news cameras as if she is a victim. Not true. The principal tried to give her an opportunity, but she refused and now has publicly renounce ALL Catholic teachings! Charlatans, rabble, gullible, naive, and impressionable children at the school are being harmed by her lack of candor. Bishop Campbell should receive full support from the Christian community. Hats off for the extra fortitude. “Rejoice that you have been found worthy of suffering for the name of Jesus”

Posted by Mary on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 1:48 PM (EDT):

I had two sisters who were our gym teachers in high school. One of them was married with children, the other was a lesbian. I don’t know of anyone who had issues with the lesbian teacher. I think that when you’re dealing with a Catholic school, there are different hiring requirements. But we are also part of a church where you are welcome to come to our church if you’re a homosexual. If she violated her contract by not being upfront about her sexuality, then the church definately has a legal leg to stand on in court. But just because someone is gay, doesn’t mean that school children are in danger. Not every homosexual is a danger to our society.

Posted by Judy Gibson on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 1:21 PM (EDT):

Starzec,
Nancy read my post the way I intended. Catholic school teachers are generally required to affirm that they support the teachings of the Church. This woman had to have lied on that portion of her contract as she clearly lives publicly in a way that is in opposition to Church teaching. As for whether or not she was giving scandal to the students, we do not know the answer to that question. It simply has not been addressed. Also, I would hope that the same school in the same archdiocese would treat ANY public morality issue in exactly the same way. They would need to consider whether the situation can be corrected and, if not, fire the teacher—the teacher with indiscreet pictures on Facebook being just one example.

Posted by savvy on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 12:41 PM (EDT):

Don,

Conservative Catholics (whatever that means) are not the only ones who have had annulments. I am going to refrain from commenting on this issue, until I have more details about this. If she lied on her contract, then they do have a right to fire her. On the other hand, if she was not promoting her views, and understands that she teaches at a Catholic school, then I do not see a reason why she should be fired.

Posted by Mark Luxford on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 11:07 AM (EDT):

enness, I disagree with your contention that a teacher is a minister. A minister deals with the spiritual side of our lives. A phys ed teacher deals with the physical side of the students lives.century12

Posted by Woman on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 10:29 AM (EDT):

What everyone seems to forget when citing Jesus’ example of love towards sinners, is that he did not love them AND tolerate the sin. He forgave them, AND THEN told them to repent and sin no more. Mary Magdalene did not continue being a prostitute while Jesus turned a blind eye out of “love”. She repented and turned away from her sin. When we mistake the love of Jesus for tolerance of sin, we are making the biggest mistake of all and tailoring the gospel to fit our own sinful selfish nature.

Posted by Rob B. on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 10:28 AM (EDT):

@Peg—Christ would say “You are forgiven. Go and sin no more.”. He would not say, “You are forgiven. Go and continue to sin,” which is what you seem to want Him to say in this circumstance.
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Look, this woman chose to teach at a Catholic institution. Whether or not she is a Catholic, this implies the acceptance of certain standards of behavior. And yes, I would say the same thing about a heterosexual adulterer.

Posted by Nancy on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 9:10 AM (EDT):

Peg:

Jesus would do what He always did…show people the err of their ways and ask them to REPENT….none of which Ms. Hale has done.

Starzec: I’m quite sure checking the box “married or single” is not what Judy was referring to. The “morality statement” in most Catholic School applications refers to exemplifying Roman Catholic principles. It usually asks teachers to affirm the teachings of the Catholic Church (which refers to the Catechism…in case you didn’t know) and their opposition to things like cohabitation…non catholic marriage….birth control…abortion…living a homosexual lifestyle.

Come on people! Why is this so hard? THIS IS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL….C.A.T.H.O.L.I.C! Get it? Parents have every right to assume and expect that the teachers (ANY teacher whether computer, librarian, gym, etc) are properly catechized and are doing their best to live their lives like the Church teaches.

What if a young girl came to this gym teacher and said to her…“ya know, I’m having some feelings that I don’t understand. One of my girlfriends kissed me the other day and I liked it. What should I do?” How do YOU think Ms. Hale would cousel her? Now, I have no way of knowing…but the potential is there for her to say to this young girl…“well, it’s NORMAL to have these feelings…it’s NORMAL to have these urges and as long as you love this person, it’s the same as if it were a boy.”

As a parent of school aged children (3 of them) that attend a Catholic School…that scenario is UNACCEPTABLE to me.

The bottom line…this teacher is not a Catholic in good standing! Period! She just isn’t. You can try and twist that anyway you want…but the fact still remains….she should never have taken this job in the first place and if all of this occurred AFTER her “union” with this woman, then she should have voluntarily left her position at the school. It would have been the right thing to do….but clearly….she’s not interested in doing the right thing…she’s interested in promoting her agenda instead of putting those kids FIRST.

Posted by ken on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 9:01 AM (EDT):

Yes you can be fired if you are giving scandal to a private school or even a public school. An old high school friend of mine got fired from her teaching role at a public school, because there were on the floor drunk pictures of her on facebook. So yes, it could be done, what legal precendence, I’m no lawyer, but I’ve seen it first hand.

Posted by Morrie on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 8:39 AM (EDT):

Peg -What would Jesus do? He would tell the gym teacher to go and sin no more. jesus is concerned with saving people not offending them.

Posted by jane on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 2:53 AM (EDT):

The media gave Rand Paul a tough time over past comments he made about the civil rights act, but here’s the thing: Any anti-discrimination law serves to destroy the right of a private business or organization to choose who to hire or do business with. The libertarian philosophy would not coerce anyone into any sort of contract (on either side). It may be ugly at times, but employers should have the right to fire anyone for whatever reason, and that includes being black, being gay, being conservative, being a Christian, whatever. Then you can go work somewhere else or start up a competing company/organization. That is what a free market is about. No-one owes you a living, not even the Catholic Church!

Posted by CatholicOklahoma on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 2:45 AM (EDT):

Time to take out the unrepentant & rampant liberal/hyppie lay teachers out of Catholic Classrooms & bring back the Habit-wearing Nuns like Mother Angelica! Our Catholic Classrooms deserve better.

Posted by CatholicOklahoma on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 2:44 AM (EDT):

Teachers unrepentantly promoting Homosex (a mortal sin) or any other Mortal Sin by actions or words don’t belong teaching in Catholic schools. Period. Time to take out the unrepentant & rampant liberal/hyppie lay teachers out of Catholic Classrooms & bring back the Habit-wearing Nuns like Mother Angelica.

Posted by CatholicOklahoma on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 2:44 AM (EDT):

If Same-sex attracted teachers (& that goes with all teacher types also) in Catholic schools are fully committed to following the Catholic Faith (in this case, living a life of Chastity & rejection of homosex), then those teachers should stay. But if “Catholic” teachers want to insist on being labeled as “gay/lesbian” (aka homosexual) or engage in Homosex (without showing repentance) or promote Homosex & Homosex “marriage” in classrooms & public life, I don’t care who they are, they should be fired IMMEDIATELY. This goes too for those Homosex “marriage” promoters who are so called “straight.” It’s a Catholic school, & that should mean it’s a school that should be fully Catholic in Faith (which includes Doctrine of Mortal Sin). Catholic Schools should have the Salvation of the Children’s Souls in the classroom as the #1 priority above all.

Posted by CatholicOklahoma on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 2:44 AM (EDT):

If Same-sex attracted teachers (& that goes with all teacher types also) in Catholic schools are fully committed to following the Catholic Faith (in this case, living a life of Chastity & rejection of homosex), then those teachers should stay. But if “Catholic” teachers want to insist on being labeled as “gay/lesbian” (aka homosexual) or engage in Homosex (without showing repentance) or promote Homosex & Homosex “marriage” in classrooms & public life, I don’t care who they are, they should be fired IMMEDIATELY. This goes too for those Homosex “marriage” promoters who are so called “straight.” It’s a Catholic school, & that should mean it’s a school that should be fully Catholic in Faith (which includes Doctrine of Mortal Sin). Catholic Schools should have the Salvation of the Children’s Souls in the classroom as the #1 priority above all. Teachers unrepentantly promoting Homosex (a mortal sin) or any other Mortal Sin by actions or words don’t belong teaching in Catholic schools. Period. Time to take out the unrepentant & rampant liberal/hyppie lay teachers out of Catholic Classrooms & bring back the Habit-wearing Nuns like Mother Angelica.

Posted by filiusdextris on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 1:55 AM (EDT):

Peg, this lady’s soul is in obvious danger of eternal damnation as she is unrepentingly living in open sin and giving scandal to others. The most loving thing to do for her soul is to try to giver her a wake-up call. What happens in this world is nothing compared to the next.

Maybe she can get to heaven anyways; maybe she is more holy than you or I; but what the Church is doing is helping her the best way it knows how to ensure her salvation. She has many options, even to stay in the church if she truly wants to.

Posted by William Walsh on Friday, Apr 26, 2013 12:45 AM (EDT):

The ecclesiastical exemption doctrine’s ministerial exception will apply here and protect the diocese from legal liability in all likelihood. As for the practical application of faith and morals clauses in employment contracts with Catholic school teachers, surely the question in this case and in all cases must be the teacher’s willingness to repent of his or her sinful behavior. This woman has publically declared that she has done nothing wrong in living in a homosexual relationship. Whereas she should be permitted to teach if she acknowledged her sinfulness, she should not be permitted to teach in a Catholic school if will not do so. This would apply the same in cases of adultery, the use of contraception, divorce and so forth.

Posted by Philip on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 11:53 PM (EDT):

Jesus loved people enough to let them know when they were harming their souls. He met sinners where they were, but was not afraid to tell them not to sin anymore “lest something worse happen to you.”

Enabling people’s sinful behavior is false compassion that ignores the spiritual health of the person. Also, this is a moot point in this case because teaching isn’t about the teacher fulfilling his or her every desire, it’s about THE WELFARE OF THE KIDS.

Posted by The Doctress on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 9:44 PM (EDT):

Mr. Leach should consider being less ridiculously puerile.

Posted by Barefoot Mommy on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 9:21 PM (EDT):

Peg - mostl likely He’d say: “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Posted by C.M. on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 8:30 PM (EDT):

To Peg Passero, Jesus would say, “Go and sin no more” or “Repent, for the Kingdom is at hand.” Our third Luminous mystery of the Rosary is entitled, “The proclamation of the Kingdom and the call to repentance.” Repentance for our sins is a requirement for being a follower of Christ.

If you will read the Gospels, you will find that Jesus loves sinners too much to leave them in their sin.

Posted by Greg on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 8:19 PM (EDT):

The school may or may not have been aware of this teacher’s sexual orientation; what it seemingly did NOT know that this teacher was living a homosexual lifestyle. She should have been up front about it. It was a deception on her part not to inform the Administration, and a scandal for the Church. If she had been living a celibate life it would have been absolutely wrong for the school to terminate her employment. It is difficult to teach Truth to your children when you do not have honest teachers. And what gives with these Catholics who go against the Church’s teachings on love and marriage? Either Christ established a Church or He didn’t. Either the Church preserves the fullness of Truth or it doesn’t, in which case, both Christ and Church are liars.

Posted by Pam on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 8:00 PM (EDT):

Peg, One person quoted Ms. Hale as saying she didn’t think she was doing anything wrong. Jesus would say repent and He would say go and sin no more. She is not willing to do either. And He would be loving doing that. This woman’s soul is in grave danger and she has just been given the chance to face up to that and repent. You would keep her on the road to hell with your brand of compassion. To those who ask about others, if they were reported, they would also be confronted. And gym teachers are around kids changing in and out of clothes. Definitely scandalous to have a homosexual gym teacher in that situation. It raises too many questions, even if the person would never do anything.

Posted by Don on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 7:19 PM (EDT):

enness, you say as that long as everything stays secret, private, then there’s no scandal, no one is giving scandal. The US Catholic Church issues over 30,000 annulments a year. Make sure you get the Church to keep this hushed up, because it sure as hell scandalizes me. Either it means priests are too lilly livered to object to marrying people who have no business marrying, or it means our canon law folks are rubber stamping annulments. Either way something’s terribly wrong. The US Church needs to get its house in order. That’s what I meant about conservative Catholics having long ago made their peace with divorce culture. They did that, so now GLBT folks figure they can do the same for them.

Posted by The Lives on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 7:01 PM (EDT):

I am proud of Bishop Frederick Campbell for quietly giving witness to the message of Jesus Christ. Jesus said to the sinful women, Sin No More. Ms. Hale was given the option and choose explicitly to denounce her employment contract, Catholic Church teaching, and her employment. The Greater Love of Christ is to speak honestly to the sinner the words of Jesus Christ. Sin No More. This lesson is entirely reflective of laying down ones life for a friend. Ms. Hale is in sin and is thrashing in revolt to the Love of Christ. Jesus would expel the demon within her.

Posted by savvy on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 6:54 PM (EDT):

Liz,

I have to agree with you. It would be a different thing if she was a religion teacher. Was she promoting her views? If not then this is unjust discrimination.

Posted by Angry on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 6:46 PM (EDT):

Yes but Archbishop Myers of Newark can place a confessed sex offender in a hospital as chaplain with free range. He gets caught, hospital makes him leave. Then Myers puts him back into a parish in residence, allows him to say Mass all over the AD, gives him a job in the AD both raising money and in Formation.

Remember, this sex offender is in a plea agreement with the county. The Dallas what?

Not one bishop goes on the record opposing Myers’ actions. Instead we are told to forgive. Uh huh.

Posted by St Donatus on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 6:41 PM (EDT):

@Peg Passero,

Would it be loving to let your child play in the Interstate highway? Yet you would say it is loving for the diocese to not try to stop someone from living a lifestyle that will likewise lead to eternal death. Would it be loving for the diocese to allow someone to influence it children to lead lifestyles condemned by God, Jesus, and his disciples in the Bible.

If you would read your Bible rather than listening to others interpret it for you, you would know that Jesus Christ and his disciples condemned homosexual acts so much that they said it would cause eternal damnation for those involved with these actions (and those allowing them). The God of the old Testament is the God Jesus came from and that God hated homosexuality so much those engaged in it were to be stoned to death. He even destroyed whole cities because they accepted this type of behavior.

Yes, he is a God of love but he loves his people so much that he will protect them from evil at all cost. Would a loving father allow his wife and children to be murdered or would he try to protect them. Likewise God, through Bishop Campbell is trying to protect his children from influences that would lead them to death. Just read your Bible, it is all there.

Posted by Joan Dutkin on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 6:33 PM (EDT):

*Forgive, as I have been online seeing irreligious comments across the board so this is for them… I agree with the Church completely! I apologize for this strong email but I am so happy as it is a pivotal time for the Church! These same type of people who are revolting the gay woman being fired, condemn the Church for a very small handful of gay pedophile priests BUT LOVE Michael Jackson! - Liberal hypocrites. We should live by what God likes, how God feels and what God teaches us in His word! When people live their life on what THEY think and feel, they are practicing HUMANISM. And humanism is a fallible false religion. Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” There are some things we are NOT supposed to do. We are to check ourselves, on every little thing we are weighed and measured. Thems there’s the facts. Heaven or hell, right and wrong, our choices… We are standing at the edge of the fiery pit looking down into the vast inferno of engulfing flames. Do we really need a push? We can not call ourselves a Christian or a Catholic if we fight against God, His word and wishes! Get out the Church to all of the fake, false, preachers of iniquity that are doing the devil’s work. This is a personal note but we serve a very personal God! We can not compromise on Holiness. We can NOT represent the Holy Church with blatant sin. It is mockery! This is not what we will be force feeding our children, we will not send mixed messages! Can one really try to change the Church to fit their sinful standards? Get these people help, counseling, hormone therapy, an exorcism, a prayer group, but don’t parade it around the Church acting like it is okay! We are talking about saving souls from hell and as well as the Church Administration… Tell them, “Don’t give me that protected class stuff the Church is EXEMPT!” There is my 1st AMENdment right, Amen! “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Psalm 29:2 God doesn’t lie. By His word, notice how God refers to the land in Leviticus 18:22-30. He destroys even the land where this particular sin happens as a society. Don’t be too proud to receive this timely message. Sodom and Gomorrah still the same fire and brimstone, salt pillar touting mess today and completely uninhabitable just as God promised it would be. See for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVC79mWi3pM We are called to fulfill the great commission and bring people to Christ and HEAVEN not to smooth over sin that leads a soul to hell. We do not make excuses… I have never been so proud of Columbus or the Catholic Faith as I am today! We want what is best for people as Catholics, wanting what God wants for people.(Make no apologies, stand strong and make no apologies.)
In The Blood of Jesus,
Joan

Posted by pappaburgundy on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 6:27 PM (EDT):

Gossip, in every sense is never the right path to start a lesson like this one.

I like the anonymous parent who snitched on the gay gym teacher. Classic. Whay about all the gay priests out there confecting the Eucharist. We should at least have investigations on them first. If your gay you’re sick. Sick people do sick things.

People——we are better than this. i think Jesus said something about this behavior, “yee who have not sinned, cast the first stone.”

Let the games begin

Posted by Peg Passero on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 6:08 PM (EDT):

I am very upset by the decision of the Catholic Diocese to fire this teacher. The Lord preaches love. I can’t see where the church is coming from. I’ve been a Catholic all my life and The Lord and Jesus Christ I believe in preaches LOVE. This act does not reflect love or compassion. Keep this in mind: What would Jesus do?

Posted by Mouse on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 5:41 PM (EDT):

Another, slightly tangential thought:Seems to me the scandalously common fact of people calling themselves Catholic while not even wanting to believe or follow Church teaching will dissipate as harassment increases and persecution descends. When to be known as a Catholic means harassment, jail or worse, believe me, most of those folks will run for the hills. When teaching the faith means doing so underground, for nothing, rather than having a nice job with benefits, only serious Catholics will be teaching the faith…

As for those who wish to be faithful, we need to get used to maltreatment, and prepare to lose everything if we remain faithful. Because things like this story are only the tiniest tip of the coming iceberg - we all can see that.

Posted by Mouse on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 5:21 PM (EDT):

Based on the recent US Supreme Court decision the Tabor case, in which they smacked down the Obama Administration 9 to 0, in favor of the religious employer’s right to be hire and fire based on their own beliefs and without such other laws applying, I think the Diocese can win this suit and force Columbus to include a religious exemption.

If not, in my opinion, it it time to play hardball. How about this: Let the Diocese tell them, and be truly prepared to follow through: If the diocese loses this case, all Catholic schools will close, for two weeks, or perhaps permanently effective immediately. Then let the state figure out what to do with all those kids they can’t afford to teach, and all the complaining parents who have to pay daycare for all those days.

When Cardinal O’Connor confronted NY trying to impose uncatholic sex ed on the schools there, he played hardball and they backed down. We should start doing the same. Yes, it could lead to good Catholic teachers losing jobs, but better that than compromise. And I think the city would back down if they realized we have a spine and will not comply no matter what.

They are going to try to destroy all of our institutions, either by closing them or by making them nothing but pseudo-Catholic collaborators in the evils of the day (which some schools already are!). So we need to be prepared to see ourselves not as runners of lots of institutions, but as souls who need to be faithful to Christ no matter what the cost. NO MATTER WHAT COST.

Posted by enness on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 4:53 PM (EDT):

Liz: it ought to go without saying that anyone who is in a position of teaching children is a ‘minister.’ This woman does not stop being in a lesbian relationship when she goes to her job any more than I stop being a Catholic when I go to mine, and I think it is naive and perhaps even unreasonable to assume that it’s going to be easy to suppress a comment or to prevent every kind of situation where that might happen.
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To our slightly denser combox guests, let me explain scandal as the Church understands that term. If it doesn’t have some public component, it’s not scandal. That is simple common sense—you can’t know what you don’t know. A balance must be struck with not invading people’s private lives, which in many cases would be wrong. So make up your minds about what you want: do you want the “Church out of people’s bedrooms” or do you want them conducting very thorough interviews about what people do as a condition of being hired? If so, then don’t come back here crying about it.

Posted by enness on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 4:45 PM (EDT):

“That had nothing to do with my ability to teach and coach. I don’t think I’m immoral; I don’t think I’ve done anything that’s unethical,” Hale said in an interview with local television.
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Some people are in for an awful shock the first time they hear that their opinion is irrelevant.

Posted by Julie on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 4:24 PM (EDT):

Dave, thank you for providing the link to the petition in support of Bishop Campbell and the diocese! I was happy to sign it. May God bless the bishop and the diocese during this difficult time.

Posted by Maria on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 4:18 PM (EDT):

True, Catholic schools and establishments are teeming with fornicators and extra-marital sex offenders but they are usually ashamed of their sins and keep them secret from the public. Ms Hale clearly is not ashamed of her immorality and chose to publicized her sin in the paper, therefore violating her contract. That’s what got her fired.

Posted by Don on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 4:05 PM (EDT):

Before this Diocese fired this teacher, it needed to see that it was uniformly enforcing its morals clause—against divorced and remarried parochial school teachers, against teachers promoting contraception, against teachers promoting women’s ordination, to name a few things. In reality, the Catholic right has long ago come to terms, and made its de facto peace, with divorce, out of wedlock births, and contraception. This mainly has to do with money—if the Church ever got serious about contraception or divorce, US churches would empty out—hence, no $$$. Gays and lesbians would take the Church a whole lot more seriously (and wouldn’t mess with it) if the Church actually practiced what it proclaims.

Posted by Mark Luxford on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 4:04 PM (EDT):

I think Liz made a good point. Does a gym teacher fall under the ministerial category? What about the custodian? Is he under the ministerial category also? And, as has been pointed out, I’ll believe this is a just action when they start going after any other employee who has violated any other church teaching in any way.

Posted by starzec on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 3:20 PM (EDT):

Did she EVER flaunt her sexual orientation in front of the students? The story says the School Officials did not know until they read the obituary of her deceased mother. That alone should tell you something.
Judy, because it is not the law in Ohio, she could not be legally married, therefore saying she was single on an application is not perjury. Curious how many job seekers check married or single. Wait… Not legal to ask those questions anyway. So if the Diocese asked it that is a whole new lawsuit waiting to happen.
Corita, you hit the nail on the head. Does the school have virginity tests for never married female teachers? How would they prove or disprove virginity since the hymen is fragile. Lie Detector tests for all. I bet you find all kinds of things you do not want to know about the the teachers. What about divorced teachers? At the catholic school I had my son attend, his favorite teacher was divorced and remarried. Yes Divorced not annulled. Oh the horror of a divorced science teacher teaching my son and his classmates about physics.
Bottom line, was Ms Hale a good teacher? If so, apologize and re-instate her. This is not rocket science people. Good teachers are hard to find and to just throw one away is crime against her current students and those to come in the future.

According to George Orwell those who control the vocabulary control the debate. Unfortunately, the media controls the vocabulary in our country. Thus activity previously recognized as: “sinful” becomes a “right.” In the meanwhile the First Amendment is becoming a dead letter as “rights” laws are used to corruptly eviscerate it.

Posted by Greg on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 2:54 PM (EDT):

Well, then, as a witness to the Truth, would the bishop himself choose the fine and jail time as an example to his flock?

Posted by St Donatus on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 2:51 PM (EDT):

In response to Corita and Question,
I would have thought that any teacher that was actively involved in any mortal sin and not repentant, (thus not in good standing in the church) should not be allowed to continue as a teacher. Perhaps this kind of lawsuit will, in fact, force all our Catholic schools to take a strong stand for Catholic teaching. Force them to bring in faithful Catholic teachers who will instill in our children strong Catholic values.

We are not talking about the gardener or the accountant, we are talking about the person that is leading our children. If do not believe or practice Catholic morality or beliefs, they certainly shouldn’t be teaching our Children how to be faithful Catholics. (Any and all teachers in a Catholic School are first responsible for passing on the faith.)

Posted by C.M. on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 2:45 PM (EDT):

As a teenager in the 70s going to a Catholic school, I was very uncomfortable around my gym teacher. When my father died, she wrote me a very nice letter telling me I could come to her any time about anything. I thanked her but had an internal feeling that I’d better not. I was quite innocent and had no idea what homosexuality was—but after graduation and talking to other fellow students it seemed quite well-known to the others that she and another teacher were in a homosexual relationship.

A gym teacher is in a position to be around girls when they’re in a vulnerable situation. The Church is quite right to want to make sure the students are in a safe environment and also that their teachers in a Catholic school reflect Catholic moral teaching.

For those of you being snarky about teachers not being fired for other forms of immorality, the authorities may not know about other situations, but they have the same right to fire them—or ask them to repent. If Ms. Hale repented and said she would live a chaste life from now on, I’m sure the school would reconsider. We all sin and we all can seek forgiveness. The point is when someone is “obstinate” in their sin: they are obviously not a good fit for a Catholic school.

Posted by Nerina on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 2:42 PM (EDT):

“Question,” I would hope that IF the school had knowledge of fornicating or adulterous teachers, they would take action. The thing to note in this case is that they had public knowledge of the teacher’s orientation. The more important question might be was the teacher living an active homosexual lifestyle?

Posted by Dave on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 2:28 PM (EDT):

Corita- Yes, they actually have.

Posted by Judy Gibson on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 2:14 PM (EDT):

This isn’t simply about a teacher whose lifestyle is in opposition to Catholic teaching. This is about a teacher who would have had to falsify information in order to get the job. I’ve read postings for Catholic school teachers in the Baltimore Archdiocese. Invariably they state that the teacher must be a Catholic in good standing in the Church. Gym teachers frequently also teach “health” which in many cases includes some discussion of sexuality. I do not think it would be possible for a lesbian living in a committed relationship to teach authentic Catholic doctrine on the subject.

Posted by Clem on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 2:11 PM (EDT):

I am familiar with a case like this many years ago. The church was covered because the teacher signed a contract to abide by the teachings of the Church. Had that not been in the contract, the church would have been out of luck.

Posted by Mary on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 2:07 PM (EDT):

Cheers for Bishop Frederick Campbell and the Diocese of Columbus. God grant that all our bishops will stand up for Catholic teaching in face of criticism!

Posted by jenn on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 2:05 PM (EDT):

from CCC 2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

Anon - I’m not saying that the orientation is not disordered. Simply stating that we must speak the Truth in our headlines;minor wording issues can convey much larger meanings. We are also called to treat each other with compassion and charity. I agree we must be careful of scandal and I fully agree that Catholic schools should be staffed by faithful practising Catholics that provide excellent role models. However, as a CCD teacher in my parish though I strive to live a life of perfect faith by grace, I freely admit that I am a sinner and I’m grateful for the mercy, grace and absolution of the confessional.

Posted by John Leach on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 1:35 PM (EDT):

They should fire any priests who teach children since time and again they have been found to be molesters. Oh wait We don’t talk about that…right?

Posted by Anon on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 1:20 PM (EDT):

Homosexual dis- orientation evokes moral concern particularly when it involves teaching children. The inclination needs to be evaluated not just in terms of it not constituting a sin but that it can be a scandal or a way to mislead others if it is promoted as normal and healthy. Let us not be so quick to accent only that the inclination is not sinful when other factors come into play.

Posted by jenn on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 12:45 PM (EDT):

Let me preface my comment by saying I subscribe to the Register and depend upon it for orthodox, up to date information on a wide variety of topics. However, with this headline it seems like we are shooting ourselves in the foot; making ourselves a target for charges of bigotry and discrimination. As was highlighted in the article, Ms Hale was not fired for being a lesbian - her orientation - but for living in an active homosexual relationship - which contradicts church teaching. I would appreciate your headlines being more accurate especially with respect to “hot button” issues so that the Register accurately reflects the Truth and church teaching.

Posted by Corita on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 12:10 PM (EDT):

Soooo, they have also fired any staff members living with a heterosexual partner outside of marriage….right?

Posted by Question on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 12:00 PM (EDT):

Can’t wait until the diocese starts firing teachers who are divorced and remarried, those who masturbate, use contraception, fornicate and miss Mass on Sundays. That will show them!

Oh…they won’t do that? You mean to say they’re picking and choosing their moral priorities to bully weaker people?

Well, I never! (/sarcasm off)

Posted by Julie on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 11:20 AM (EDT):

This latest case is a sobering reminder to Catholics and all other people of faith that we face an increasingly hostile secular culture that regards the Bill of Rights, especially the First Amendment, as an annoying nuisance. I think it will be important for Catholics to generously support legal defense organizations like the Becket Fund for years to come. The opposition is strong and well-funded and shows no sign of losing interest in imposing their collective will on everyone. Lord Jesus, have mercy.

I think this is great the church is finally taking a stand. It might bring harsh criticism by the PC police. But seriously, all these non-Catholic citizens working as teachers is the reason WHY I do not put my children in Catholic schools. We have high standards, especially when it comes to morals and ethics. We don’t want to hurt anyone, but sometimes we need to slap hands in the cookie jar. The FBI has high employment standards, the Catholic church should be no different. We are living in a revolutionary time and if people want to live so radically different, that’s their choice. But don’t shove it on our Catholic children in Catholic schools when we pay good $$$ to put them in a school that opposes that liefestyle. Isn’t this a no-brainer? Why work in a cigarette factory or even sell them if you detest what they do to you?

Posted by patrick oconnor on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 8:33 AM (EDT):

In times of universal deceit (gay marriage) to tell the truth (bishop) becomes a revolutionary act (criminal charges/persecution) orsen welles. Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of God. (JESUS)

Posted by Liz on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 7:41 AM (EDT):

I don’t know….I support conscience protections and religious freedom, but this seems like a stretch to me, especially the argument that a gym teacher falls under “ministerial function.” I feel sorry for the teacher—outed and fired because of her mother’s obituary? Because, what, one parent is concerned that her child might encounter a gay person at school? Was the teacher promoting a homosexual lifestyle to her students? I’m a practicing Catholic and uphold the Church’s teachings on sexuality, but this just seems like a sad situation all around, and perhaps one that could have been better handled by the school and diocese, from the details provided here.

Posted by Cyril on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 7:27 AM (EDT):

And advocates of gay marriage keep saying to the church, “Why do you oppose this? It’s not going to affect you in any way.”

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